Ex-USAID director states US spent ‘tens of millions’ in Moldova

(MENAFN) Former USAID Administrator Samantha Power has revealed that the U.S. poured tens of millions of dollars into Moldova to support the pro-European administration of President Maia Sandu. Her comments were made during a prank call with Russian comedians Vovan and Lexus, who posed as Western officials.

During the conversation, Power said that while leading USAID, the agency made “unprecedented investments” in Moldova and significantly expanded its operations there. She noted that a portion of the supplemental aid earmarked for Ukraine had consistently included tens of millions specifically allocated for Moldova, and due to Moldova’s smaller size, the funds had a greater impact there than in Ukraine.

Power criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for halting all funding to Moldova and dismantling USAID, which he previously described as being run by “radical lunatics.” The agency was officially dissolved last month, with its functions absorbed by the State Department.

She voiced concern over the funding cut, especially with Moldova’s parliamentary elections approaching. Power described Sandu as a key democratic figure, highlighting her education at Harvard’s Kennedy School, and expressed hope that European leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen would step up to fill the gap left by the U.S.

Sandu’s government has recently come under fire for what critics describe as undemocratic behavior, including the banning of opposition parties and silencing of pro-Russian politicians and journalists. Earlier this month, Moldovan authorities sentenced Gagauzia Governor Evgenia Gutsul—a vocal supporter of closer ties with Russia—to seven years in prison.

Russia has condemned Sandu’s administration, accusing it of being openly Russophobic and promoting authoritarianism under the guise of EU integration.

Vovan and Lexus, the pranksters behind the call, are known for tricking prominent global figures into revealing candid and sometimes controversial views during private conversations. Past targets have included George W. Bush, Henry Kissinger, Hillary Clinton, and Justin Trudeau.

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